RESEARCH biography

PhD, UNIVERSITY OF EXETER (2009 - 2013)Causes and consequences of oxidative stress in a wild cooperatively breeding birdSupervised by Dr Andy Young and Dr Jon Blount My PhD research investigated oxidative stress in white-browed sparrow weaver societies, in the South African Kalahari Desert. Oxidative stress occurs when reactive oxygen species (a by-product of normal cellular functions) overwhelm antioxidant protection, resulting in damage to bio-molecules and tissues. My PhD work investigated whether reproduction bears an oxidative stress cost, and whether cooperation may have evolved to mitigate such costs. I examined the impact of group living, social dominance, and stress on oxidative status. I also investigated the role of oxidative stress and antioxidants in regulating immunity and maternal effects. See the PUBLICATIONS tab for details of recent and upcoming papers from my PhD studies.

FIELD ASSISTANT, UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD (2009)What are the innate vs environmental risks of avian malaria in blue tits?Working for Prof Ben Sheldon and Dr Matt Wood

I returned to the Wytham woods and the Edward Grey Institute, to investigate the factors that predict avian malaria infection in blue tits. During a gruelling but rewarding field season, I conducted clutch translocations between areas of low- and high malarial risk, and closely monitored breeding progress and fledgling success.

PERSONAL TUTOR, GREENE'S TUTORIAL COLLEGE, OXFORD (2008) Teaching has always been important to me. Whilst frantically applying for PhD positions, I worked for a tutorial college, offering bespoke one-to-one tutorials in biology. The students ranged from year 2 to GSCE to A-level and undergraduate level. We covered key topics, how to discuss biology with confidence, and how to approach end-of-year exams.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT, UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA (2008)Does the major-histocompatibilty complex mediate sexual selection in red junglefowl?Working for Prof David Richardson and Prof Tom Pizzari

I returned to the red junglefowl project as a paid research assistant, to continue a study investigating how MHC-similarity affects reproductive decisions in males and females. I conducted extensive behavioural observations, carried out mating and artificial insemination trials, and dissected eggs and embryos for paternity analysis.

FIELD ASSISTANT, UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD (2007)What is the functional significance of vocalisations in amazonian birds?Working for Dr Nat Seddon and Dr Joe Tobias My first experience of remote fieldwork was a life-changing experience. I contributed to two projects in the Peruvian Amazon. (i) I collected and processed over 100 recordings of the mind-blowing Amazonian dawn chorus, in order to investigate how dawn song is structured in time and space. This work was published by Tobias, Planque, Cram & Seddon; 2014; PNAS. (ii) I conducted behavioural observations and recorded vocalisations in warbling antbirds, in order to investigate the inter- and intra-sexual functions of their peculiar song.

MSc RESEARCH PROJECT 2, UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD (2007)Does the major histocompatibility complex affect cryptic female choice in red junglefowl?Supervised by Prof Tom Pizzari

Female red junglefowl have a remarkable mechanism of controlling paternity: while they cannot always choose who they mate with, they can selectively eject the ejaculates of males. My project examined whether similarity at MHC loci is an important cue used by females in deciding whether to eject sperm.

MSc RESEARCH PROJECT 1, UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD (2007)Is variation in cognitive ability linked to personality type in wild great tits?Supervised by Dr John Quinn

My first research project investigated whether variation in personality type along the shy-bold axis was associated with problem-solving performance, in wild great tits. I designed a 'lever-pull' puzzle and conducted cognitive trials. Some birds successfully solved the problem, while others pulled the 'error lever' which did not solve the puzzle (see video below). My results contributed to an excellent paper by Ella Cole (Cole, Cram & Quinn; 2011, Animal Behaviour).

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